The Rite – Review

Based on a 2009 book called The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio, The Rite tackles exorcism in the least theatrical of ways. As Fr. Lucas (Anthony Hopkins) says during an exorcism: “What were you expecting? Spinning heads and pea soup?” But that’s The Rite‘s downfall. It’s fairly average in these terms of cinematic boos we’ve now been accustomed too, in thanks to The Exorcist and its zillion clones.

Mikael HÃ¥fström tries to make the most out of a film that’s idea is more interesting theologically than cinematic. The Rite is moody and well-acted, even if Hopkins overshadows the film’s lead, newcomer Colin O’Donoghue. Doubt is religion’s old friend. Without doubt, we wouldn’t seek the truth, either spiritually or logically, which makes for an interesting if not well-worn angle for an exorcism film. It’s no wonder Christian websites are praising the film. The film opens strongly, in terms of narrative conflict and interest. What if the Devil is real? What would we do with this knowledge? Well, if the film’s tag line is to be believed the Catholic Pope has order a new seminar for a select group of priests to re-learn the rites of exorcism.

In the recent years, it seems as if the Catholic Church wouldn’t be handling such hokum as demons and possessions, since The Church seems to be going about such things logically (well, within their own doctrine and beliefs). So this sets up The Rite for a foundation of some good old fashion battles of Good/Evil, Faith/Doubt, yet the film never fully grasp its premise, but instead falters back to the same ‘ol, same ‘ol of exorcism films.

HÃ¥fström suffers from conventionality again. In his over-praised 1408, he was close to making a great ghost film, but much like here in The Rite, by the end of the film, both become typical of their sub-genres. Most will be bored into confession, if it wasn’t Anthony Hopkins chewing scenery and making the mundane interesting – to a point. Just as it picks up steam, The Rite loses it, although it might be the more realistic look at the long, drawn-out nature of recorded exorcisms. If you believe that stuff…

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